SOCIAL IMPACT AND SOCIAL IMPACT AND WOMEN EMPOWERMENT WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

THROUGH MUSSEL THROUGH MUSSEL FARMING IN KERALA, FARMING IN KERALA,

INDIAINDIAV.KRIPA* AND V.G.SURENDRANATHV.KRIPA* AND V.G.SURENDRANATH

Women in Fisheries and AquacultureWomen in Fisheries and Aquaculture

In operations in the sea women have usually assisted the male In operations in the sea women have usually assisted the male members of the family and were recognized as members of the family and were recognized as ““collaborating collaborating spousespouse””. The term . The term ““collaborating spousecollaborating spouse”” taken from the taken from the French, is often used to describe women who play an important French, is often used to describe women who play an important supporting role in the fisheries sector (supporting role in the fisheries sector (FrangoudesFrangoudes andandOO’’DohertyDoherty 2005) 2005)

several instances where women play the major role, for exampleseveral instances where women play the major role, for exampleClam fishingClam fishingOyster and mussel farmingOyster and mussel farmingPost harvest processingPost harvest processing

Mussel farming Mussel farming –– Rural AquacultureRural Aquaculture

Mussel farming in India can be considered as Mussel farming in India can be considered as ‘‘ rural rural aquacultureaquaculture’’ since it meets all the requirements to since it meets all the requirements to be qualified as be qualified as ““ rural rural ““ according to the definition according to the definition of Edwards and of Edwards and DemaineDemaine (1997). (1997).

It is done byIt is done bysmallsmall--scale farming households or communities; scale farming households or communities; it uses extensive or semiit uses extensive or semi--intensive low cost intensive low cost production technology; production technology; it avoids the use of formulated feeds andit avoids the use of formulated feeds andit produces a commodity which has a lowit produces a commodity which has a low--market market value affordable to poor consumers value affordable to poor consumers

Attempts at technology diffusion of an Attempts at technology diffusion of an unconventional technology in Indiaunconventional technology in India

In India mussel farming is considered a new or In India mussel farming is considered a new or unconventional technology and convincing the unconventional technology and convincing the worthiness of the technology to the villagers as worthiness of the technology to the villagers as well as the planners and developer was really hardwell as the planners and developer was really hard

The CMFRI made attempts to develop mussel The CMFRI made attempts to develop mussel farming in 16 centers in Kerala during the period farming in 16 centers in Kerala during the period 19961996--2006.2006.

We were inquisitive to knowWe were inquisitive to know

Why was it adopted in some places and not in others?Why was it adopted in some places and not in others?

Women are the main beneficiaries. Why? How has it Women are the main beneficiaries. Why? How has it helped them? How has it helped their family? helped them? How has it helped their family?

Can women become aquaCan women become aqua--managers? Or will they managers? Or will they remain as remain as ““collaborating spousecollaborating spouse””

Did this farming produce any ancillary developments? Did this farming produce any ancillary developments? Or was the impact only at the farm site?Or was the impact only at the farm site?

Can this success be repeated in other areasCan this success be repeated in other areas? ?

Critical analysis of the role of financial supports and Critical analysis of the role of financial supports and adoption levels of mussel farming is made for the 16 adoption levels of mussel farming is made for the 16 locations where attempts were made by the CMFRI to locations where attempts were made by the CMFRI to promote mussel farming. promote mussel farming.

Adoption levels were considered asAdoption levels were considered aslow when there were less than 10 farms, low when there were less than 10 farms, medium when there were 10 to 50 farms and medium when there were 10 to 50 farms and high when the number of farms exceeded more than high when the number of farms exceeded more than 5050. .

MethodologyMethodologyFor studying the socio economic background of the mussel For studying the socio economic background of the mussel farmers a schedule was prepared and data was collected through farmers a schedule was prepared and data was collected through enumerators at enumerators at KasargodKasargod which is the main mussel farming which is the main mussel farming center.center.

Data was also collected on sharing of responsibilities, sourcingData was also collected on sharing of responsibilities, sourcing of of inputs and marketing. inputs and marketing.

Within Within KasargodKasargod district a microdistrict a micro--level survey was conducted in level survey was conducted in four adjacent villages four adjacent villages vizviz ThrikaripurThrikaripur, , PadannaPadanna, , ValiaparambaValiaparamba and and CheruvathurCheruvathur..

Based on this data, the extent and nature of impact in the Based on this data, the extent and nature of impact in the society in terms of number of employment opportunities created society in terms of number of employment opportunities created and the impact on women empowerment was analyzed.and the impact on women empowerment was analyzed.

ResultsResults

55High level of adoptionHigh level of adoptionTraining/Demonstrations conducted, Training/Demonstrations conducted, no financial supportno financial supportType VType V

2626High level of adoptionHigh level of adoptionTraining / Demonstrations conducted, Training / Demonstrations conducted, financial support providedfinancial support providedType IVType IV

1616Medium level of Medium level of adoptionadoption

Training / Demonstrations conductedTraining / Demonstrations conducted, , financial support providedfinancial support providedType IIIType III

1616Low level of adoptionLow level of adoptionTraining / Demonstrations conducted, Training / Demonstrations conducted, no financial supportno financial supportType IIType II

3737No adoptionNo adoptionTraining / Demonstrations conducted, Training / Demonstrations conducted, no financial supportno financial supportType I Type I

% of each Type

Level of technology adoptionType of support provided

Type of impact

Type IVType IV

Type IVType IV

Type IVType IV

Type IVType IV

Type IType I

Type IIIType III

Type IType I

Type VType V

Type IIType II

Type IIIType III

Type IIIType III

Type IIType II

Type IType I

Type IType I

Type IType I

Type IType I

Type IIIType III

Type IIType II

Type IType I

Type of impact

ThrikaripurThrikaripur

ValiaparambaValiaparamba

CheruvathurCheruvathur

PadannaPadanna

DharmadamDharmadam

ElathurElathur Phase II (2004Phase II (2004--2006)2006)

ElathurElathur Phase I ( 1999 Phase I ( 1999 --2002)2002)

VallikunnuVallikunnu

ChettuvaChettuva

SattarSattar Island Island

NarakkalNarakkal Phase II (2004Phase II (2004--2006)2006)

NarakkalNarakkal Phase I ( 1999 Phase I ( 1999 --2004)2004)

PanambukaduPanambukadu

ManasherryManasherry

AndakaranazhiAndakaranazhi

ThankasherryThankasherry

DalavapuramDalavapuram (2004(2004--2006)2006)

DalavapuramDalavapuram ( 1999 ( 1999 --2004)2004)

ParavurParavur

Test Location

√√▬▬▬▬▬▬√√√√

√√▬▬▬▬▬▬√√√√

√√▬▬▬▬▬▬√√√√

√√▬▬▬▬▬▬√√√√

▬▬▬▬▬▬√√x x √√

√√▬▬▬▬▬▬√√√√

▬▬▬▬▬▬√√x x √√

√√▬▬▬▬▬▬x x √√

▬▬▬▬√√▬▬x x √√

▬▬√√▬▬▬▬√√√√

▬▬√√▬▬▬▬√√√√

▬▬▬▬√√▬▬x x √√

▬▬▬▬▬▬√√x x √√

▬▬▬▬▬▬√√x x √√

▬▬▬▬▬▬√√x x √√

▬▬▬▬▬▬√√x x √√

▬▬√√▬▬▬▬√√√√

▬▬√√▬▬x x √√

▬▬▬▬▬▬√√x x √√

HighHighMediumMediumLowLowNo adoptionNo adoptionFinance Finance TrainingTraining

Level of adoptionSupport provided

Women as aquaWomen as aqua--plannersplanners

The survey indicated that The survey indicated that women women SHGSHG’’ss are capable are capable of corresponding with of corresponding with banks, seed suppliers and banks, seed suppliers and marketing agents. marketing agents. Though they received the Though they received the support of the male support of the male members initially they members initially they gradually became gradually became independent and began to independent and began to handle all the farm handle all the farm activities independently activities independently

Women as Farm ManagersWomen as Farm ManagersIn several instances the number of mussel ropes put up in farm by women SHG ‘s was about 600 to 800 initially during 2000-01 and the same group found that they can increase the level of investment and consequently increased the farm size and stocking density to a range of 2000 to 3000 ropes

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

No.

of s

eede

d m

usse

l rop

es s

tock

ed SHG ISHG IISHG IIISHG IVSHG V

Women as efficient profit managersWomen as efficient profit managers

The survey indicated that The survey indicated that all the women farmers all the women farmers utilized the profit utilized the profit

•• to repay the loans, repay to repay the loans, repay already incurred depts., for already incurred depts., for childrenchildren’’s education, s education,

•• health care, health care, •• building house andbuilding house and•• for childrenfor children’’s marriage. s marriage.

Thus the whole family has Thus the whole family has been benefited been benefited

Youth Strength in GroupYouth Strength in Group

The survey indicate that the majority (35%) of the women farmers in Kasargod who belong to SHG’s were young, in the age group 21 to 30 followed by 32% in the 31-40 age group. Contrary to this, majority of the women farmers who owned family farm units were in the 31-40 and 41-50 age groups with only 12% in the 21-30 age group.

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

21-30 31-40 41-50 51-60

SHG units

Familyfarms

Occupation of women mussel farmersOccupation of women mussel farmers

The survey indicated that for 63% of the women who adopted mussel farming, this was the sole source of income. About 21 % of the women had coir making as a supplementary source of income while 11% were involved in agriculture and5 % worked as laborers in other areas

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Agriculture No job (other thanmussel farming)

Coir making Labourers

Educational status of women mussel Educational status of women mussel farmersfarmers

None of the women farmers had higher education or None of the women farmers had higher education or had attended any skill development institutes. had attended any skill development institutes. However 60% of the women farmers were literate and However 60% of the women farmers were literate and had attended primary school. had attended primary school. About 40% of the women especially of the About 40% of the women especially of the SHGSHG’’ss did did not have formal education. not have formal education. In a group, they were In a group, they were mainly active workers while those who have had formal mainly active workers while those who have had formal education managed the liaison with the banks and education managed the liaison with the banks and handled money matters.handled money matters. The others lead the seeding The others lead the seeding and farming activities and farming activities

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

4000

4500

5000

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Mussel production (tonnes)

SHG (Number of womenfarmers)

Growth of mussel production and women SHG farmers in India

Social impactSocial impact

Development was in diversified areasDevelopment was in diversified areas……..

It was like the ripples of wavesIt was like the ripples of waves………………

Additional income generating opportunities in the village

Seeding Seeding –– a popular activity among a popular activity among village womenvillage women

It was estimated that during 2005It was estimated that during 2005--06, 12627 06, 12627 labourlabour days were created for seeding mussels. days were created for seeding mussels.

Women get a payment of Rs.50 per day for Women get a payment of Rs.50 per day for seeding and at this rate it is estimated that seeding and at this rate it is estimated that labourlabour worth worth RsRs 6.3 6.3 lakhslakhs was generated in the was generated in the mussel farming areas during 2005mussel farming areas during 2005--06 period 06 period

MUSSELFARMING

2005-06

SEED COLLECTION

13 CENTERSQ=1878 t of seedV=Rs.101 lakhs

COIR ROPE

5 Production centers Q= 600 t ; V= Rs. 30 lakhs* Utilized for two years

NYLON ROPEQ= 37 t V= Rs. 34 lakhs(utilized during last three years)

WOODEN POLES

Q= 113206 NOS V= Rs. 67lakhs(constructed during last three years)

SEEDING

Employment( 12,627 labour

days)

RAW MATERIAL SUPPY(ANCILLARY BUSINESSES)

TRANSPORT368 labour days

Wholesale dealers(14 locations)

HARVESTINGEmployment

TRANSPORT2432 labrdays

Local marketswomen venders

RETAILMERCHENTS(more than 200 )

DISTANTMARKETS

SHUCKING(100 women employed)

HOTELS

NON –TANGIBLE BENEFITS

Resource utilisation

Team spiritWomen empowerment Better living condition

no mechanization pleaseno mechanization please…………....

Need for Women empowermentNeed for Women empowerment

Poverty continues to be of primordial Poverty continues to be of primordial importance, particularly in the developing world importance, particularly in the developing world ((WagstaffWagstaff, 2001) and since women represent , 2001) and since women represent about 70% of the poor, developmental plans about 70% of the poor, developmental plans should be for raising womenshould be for raising women’’s access to s access to resources, and also to increase their level of resources, and also to increase their level of autonomy, and decisionautonomy, and decision--making powers. making powers.

To summarizeTo summarize

The experience in technology diffusion and The experience in technology diffusion and adoption of mussel farming has shown that adoption of mussel farming has shown that mussel farming can become a prime activity for mussel farming can become a prime activity for alleviating poverty and empowering women alleviating poverty and empowering women through the formation of women clusters or through the formation of women clusters or groups in developing countriesgroups in developing countriesFinancial support must be provided to the Financial support must be provided to the villagersvillagersTechnology developers and promoters should Technology developers and promoters should work together to promote a new aquaculture work together to promote a new aquaculture programprogram

The social impact will be felt in within the The social impact will be felt in within the vicinity of the farm site as well as in distant vicinity of the farm site as well as in distant villages where seed is sourced and coir rope/ villages where seed is sourced and coir rope/ cotton netting is spun. cotton netting is spun.

Women are capable of managing farms by Women are capable of managing farms by involving all the members of the family and involving all the members of the family and making it into a making it into a family businessfamily business

Team spiritTeam spirit and an urge to unite and work and an urge to unite and work develops in the village when women are develops in the village when women are motivatedmotivated

Strength of womenStrength of women

with proper support and guidance with proper support and guidance …………

women can advance from the status of women can advance from the status of ‘‘collaborating spouse collaborating spouse ’’ to that of main to that of main decision makers, good leaders and decision makers, good leaders and financial managers financial managers ………………

To concludeTo conclude……....

Let us strive to repeat the success in the same Let us strive to repeat the success in the same manner in developing countries, using manner in developing countries, using aquaculture and fisheries technologies and aquaculture and fisheries technologies and empower coastal women to become gainfully empower coastal women to become gainfully employedemployed

Thank youThank you